Central Railway Registers Comprehensive Growth and Milestones Across Operations in FY 2025–26

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GM/CR briefs the media on Central Railway achievements in FY 2025-26

Mumbai: Looking after General Manager, Central Railway Prateek Goswami, briefed media persons on the achievements of Central Railway for the Financial Year (FY) 2025-26 at “Chintan” Conference Hall, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Mumbai on 02.04.2026. Principal Heads of Departments, Hiresh Meena, Divisional Railway Manager, Mumbai Division and Senior Officers were also present. Divisional Railway Managers of Pune, Solapur, Bhusaval & Nagpur divisions along with media persons of their respective Division joined through video conference.

Speaking to media persons, the General Manager said, “Central Railway has delivered a robust and multi-dimensional performance during the financial year 2025–26, marked by significant achievements in freight loading, passenger services, infrastructure expansion, technological adoption, energy efficiency, and customer-centric initiatives.”

Speaking on Passenger Services, The General Manager said, CR has introduced 7 new trains this FY, which includes the Pune-Ajni Vande Bharat Express, LTT-Saharsa & Panvel-Alipurduar Amrit Bharat Express trains.

CR has also added 10 suburban services on the Uran line making the total services on the section to 50 and has also introduced AC local trains on the CSMT-Panvel Harbour section. The total AC locals on CR add up to 94 now.

CR has run 8840 trips of Special Trains this FY , including 348 Festival special trains. Speaking further, He added that 2169 Special trains for Summer have been planned from 15th April to 31st July of which 1359 trains are for Maharashtra while the rest are for other States.

Shri Goswami further said, 76 new halts have been provided to various trains on CR and 7 new stations have been introduced, including 2 on the suburban section in Mumbai and 5 on the Amalner-Beed line. In addition 12 stations have been redeveloped and speed of 77 pair of trains have been increased from 110kmph to 130kmph during FY 2025-26.

The General Manager said, punctuality of Mail & Exp trains is 82.05% while that of Suburban trains is 92.04%. Concentrated efforts are being made to improve it further.

On a positive note the the General Manager spoke about the 5 Shields for Stores, Civil Engineering, Construction, Signal & Telecommunication and Bridge Maintanance received by CR from Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Hon’ble Minister of Railways, at the Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar function for last year’s performance. He also expressed hopes of winning more Shields this year.

He also spoke on various achievements of Central Railway as follows:

  • Freight Loading and Business Performance: Central Railway achieved a total originating freight loading of 79.34 million tonnes (MT) during FY 2025–26. While overall loading remained slightly below previous year, the zone recorded exceptional growth across several key commodities, demonstrating strong market responsiveness and diversification.

Commodity-wise Highlights

  • Iron Ore: Achieved best-ever performance with 1022 rakes, a remarkable 177% increase over the previous year.
  • Petroleum Products (POL): Reached 6.32 MT, registering a 12.6% growth.
  • Foodgrains: Recorded 1.07 MT, marking a 23.4% increase, reflecting improved agricultural logistics support.
  • Cement & Clinker: Cement loading rose to 7.87 MT, while clinker loading surged with 635 rakes (↑79%).
  • Container Traffic: Achieved 11.85 MT, showing steady growth of 8.1%.
  • Onion Loading: Significant jump to 212 rakes (↑133%), supporting agricultural supply chains.
  • Fly Ash: Increased to 43 rakes (↑79%), indicating enhanced industrial linkages.

Revenue Performance

Central Railway recorded a total revenue of ₹16,911.50 crore, maintaining stability despite market fluctuations:

  • Passenger Revenue: ₹8,123 crore (↑6.8%)
  • Goods Revenue: ₹8,296 crore
  • Parcel & Luggage Revenue: ₹240.68 crore
  • Ticket Checking Revenue: ₹251.35 crore (↑23.5%)
  • The increase in ticket checking revenue highlights improved enforcement and vigilance.

Passenger Traffic

  • Total passengers carried: 1,643.02 million (↑1.84%)
  • Commercial and Customer-Centric Initiatives

Non-Fare Revenue (NFR)

  • Achieved ₹134.63 crore, the highest among all zones, reflecting innovation in revenue streams.

Ticket Checking Drives

  • 41.82 lakh cases detected
  • Revenue of ₹251.35 crore
  • 24 staff members achieved “Crorepati” status (₹1 crore+ collections individually)

Passenger Amenities and Social Initiatives

  • Restaurant on Wheels at 7 stations including Dadar, Pune, and Solapur

One Station One Product (OSOP):

  • 160 stalls at 157 stations
  • Sales of over 10.81 lakh items worth ₹4.76 crore

Digital and Ease-of-Use Initiatives

  • Introduction of RailOne App integrating multiple railway services
  • Deployment of Mobile UTS Sahayaks
  • Launch of Digital Divyangjan Cards (15,327 issued) – a first in Indian Railways

Infrastructure Development and Capacity Expansion

Track Commissioning

  • Total of 103.58 km commissioned (71.84 km doubling & 31.74 km new lines)
  • Over the past five years, CR has commissioned 1,157.15 km of railway lines.

Major Projects Commissioned

  • Pune–Miraj section (281.05 km) at ₹4,864.91 crore
  • Jalgaon–Manmad third line (160 km) at ₹1,799.96 crore

Yard Modernisation

  • Extensive yard remodeling undertaken at major high-density locations such as:
  • Karjat (487 routes), Majri, Tadali, Warora, Multai, Jasai
  • This has significantly enhanced safety, operational flexibility and throughput.

Future Expansion

  • 12 new projects sanctioned covering 1,480 km, including multiple 3rd and 4th line corridors to improve mobility.

S&T Advancements

  • 3,899 km sanctioned for further Kavach (indigenous train protection system) implementation
  • 176 locomotives equipped with Kavach
  • Phase-I trial completed on 200 kms
  • Installation of: 30,000 RFIDs & 330 communication towers
  • These initiatives strengthen safety and automation in train operations.

Resource Optimisation

  • ₹608 crore savings through open access power procurement
  • 105 MW solar capacity added
  • Total renewable capacity: 272.4 MW
  • 16% of traction energy sourced from renewables
  • Rooftop solar capacity increased to 21.54 MWp

Mechanical Innovations and Safety Enhancements

  • First-ever SS2 major schedule of Vande Bharat rake completed at Matunga Workshop
  • Upgradation of Vande Bharat depots at Wadi Bunder, Ajni, and Pune

Passenger-Centric Innovations

  • Introduction of Senior Citizen-friendly EMU coaches with dedicated compartments- 5 operationalised

Safety and Technology

  • 73 Hot Axle Box Detectors (HABD) installed for freight safety
  • AI-based wagon inspection system introduced at Panvel
  • Conversion of ICF coaches to LHB stock for enhanced safety

Operational Efficiency

  • Fuel savings of approximately ₹195.5 crore through Head-On Generation (HOG)

Kumbh Mela-2027

The General Manager also briefed on the arrangements being made for the Kumbh Mela-2027 at Nashik. This involves 90 projects costing Rs.1455 crores. Developmental works on a massive scale iincluding stabling of lines, new platforms, Passenger Amenity works and other infrastructure works have been started on 8 stations along the route which includes Devlali, Nashik Road, Odha, Kherwadi, Kasbe Sukene, Niphad, Sainagar Shirdi & Igatpuri.

Conclusion

The achievements of Central Railway in FY 2025–26 underline its continued commitment to operational excellence, passenger convenience, safety, sustainability, and innovation. With major infrastructure projects, advanced safety systems like Kavach, and customer-focused initiatives, Central Railway is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of rail transportation in India.